Philip W O'Gara

Philip W. O’Gara, age 81 Philip Wilson O’Gara, age 81, passed away peacefully on December 17 at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was a lifelong Westbrook resident until his final few years. Son of John & Margaret O’Gara, Phil grew up on Longfellow Street in Westbrook with his five older brothers. He graduated from Westbrook High School in 1952 and served four years in the United States Navy. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, Phil was able to visit many countries and had an audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican in Rome. In 1966, he married Patricia Mulkern Hays, a marriage which lasted 49 years until her death earlier this year. He was a caring father to their four children – Michael, Kevin, Brian & Maureen - and adored his beloved “Patsy.” After their marriage, Phil & Patsy moved back to Longfellow Street, just two houses down from his childhood home. In all, Philip lived over 75 years in that neighborhood. For most of his working career, he was employed at the S.D. Warren Paper Mill in Westbrook, and was one of the first to use mainframe computers for payroll and accounting. After retiring from “The Mill,” he worked the toll booths for the Maine Turnpike. His family joked that the Turnpike's profitability must have declined as a result of Phil’s chatty conversations with each car passing through. Phil & Patsy were avid fans of Cape Cod, taking many trips there through the years. His wry, witty and often sarcastic sense of humor, and his memorable expressions, endeared Phil to friends and strangers alike, and especially to his nine grandchildren - Ryan, Hannah, Katelyn, Brittany, Sean, Megan, Molly, Ally and Emily. Phil is survived by his brother William of Westbrook, his four children Michael Hays, Kevin Hays, Brian O'Gara and Maureen (O'Gara) Richards and their families, a large extended family and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Patricia and brothers John, Robert, Richard and James. The family would like to thank the staff at the Maine Veterans' Home in Scarborough for their dedication, compassion, and sense of humor while caring for Phil. Your heartfelt kindness to all of us will always be cherished. Visitation will be on Monday, December 21 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Blais-Hay Funeral Home at 35 Church Street in Westbrook. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 22 at 10:00am at the Parish of Saint Anthony - Saint Hyacinth's Catholic Church at 268 Brown Street in Westbrook. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetary in South Portland.

Philip W O'Gara

December 31, 1933 - December 17, 2015

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